Greetings all
I really hope your week is going better than mine. Not only am I completely overworked, but I also received the devastating news that my little writing buddy Cupcake has two tumours in her chest that are inoperable. We don't know how long she has, but at the moment she is as healthy as she can be, and we will keep it that way for as long as possible.
Anyway, be sure to catch up on @zakludick's update before continuing with this update. Warning, crazy creature being ripped to pieces!
“Why would it go for him!” demanded Sebastian.
“Less chit-chat, more fighting!” roared Magna as she threw herself forward with the wolf at her side.
Sebastian actually hesitated as he watched his niece through herself into battle. She wasn’t even considered a woman yet, but here she was rushing headlong into battle with an unknown enemy. Or was it? As Sebastian hesitated, Trix shot after the pair. Before Sebastian could even identify what they were up against. Trix seemed to grab the edge of the ground and launch herself at the creature before. It was like watching a mountain lion leapt up from below.
Claws flashed and the creature veered back just in time to have Derric sink his claws into the beast.
Is the boy bigger?
Indeed, the boy was getting bigger, and developing a giant maw and wings. Sebastian turned to Adiran that was readying a spell and shouted.
“What the hell is that boy?”
“The future King of these lands if the Queen has anything to say about it. Go help them! That thing can change to have any sort of natural weapon.”
“What?”
Sebastian’s question was drowned out by the Blaze knights running forward to battle the creature and Trix yelling something. The battle raged on as everyone tried to find a way to combat the beat that seemed to change various parts of its body to attack or defend itself. It was highly intelligent. Even when Derric pinned it down and Magna tried to drive her sword through it, the blade was simply deflected, and a spray of acid was spat into the air. If Trix had been any slower, Sebastian would only have had a nephew.
Magna stepped back, frustration clear on her face, but she looked at the bracelet on her wrist and then at her uncle. She was seemingly hanging back. She held up her hand and screamed, “I give you the right to act as you see fit against this thing.”
“You heard her!” shouted Mortis as he too joined the fray.
The hunger always lurked within Sebastian, he could feel it nibbling on the edges of his mind, and now that it was given permission to exist, it no longer fought his control. It accepts it. Sebastian could feel the power grow within him and he dropped his sword as he felt his nails strengthen and grow.
“Hold on, hold on!” should Adiran as he pointed one hand to Sebastian and he muttered several words.
Sebastian had felt his armour trying to contain his growth, but now it gave way to his growing shape. Yet, there was no sting of the silver, it was as if everything was in harmony with what was happening. He glanced over to his niece, almost thankful for the gift she had given him, but he stopped. She looked like she was having an internal battle and could barely keep standing.
“Go! What are you waiting for!” she roared at him.
She’s fighting the hunger, he realised. He wanted to beg her to stop, but there was no time. While Derric had pinned the strange creature below him, it was starting to grow, as if swallowing air. This was about to get dangerous.
Sebastian leapt from where he was and was swiftly followed by what he assumed was a bolt of electricity. This energy hit the creature and it screamed, but not as loudly as when Sebastian’s claws dug into it.
“It can only deal with one attack at a time in the same spoke.” Roared Sebastian, “Work together in teams of two to break through its defence. Hurry.”
Magna was already on her knees, struggling to keep back the hunger that fought for control of her body. This was too difficult; she wasn’t going to be able to hold it and defend herself. Just when she thought she could take no more, her brother came to stand before her with his shield and sword.
“Trust me, I am here for you.” He said, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The fight was vicious, and between the knights occupying the beast, and the Lifedrinkers and Derric tearing into it, pieces were flying, and its shape was getting smaller and smaller. Adiran made sure none of those pieces were able to animate anything. The battle was fierce, but eventually, the core of the creature was exposed, and Adrian felt himself pale.
“Temolach.” He whispered.
“Who?” whispered Magna, now exhausted.
“Uncle, it’s the necromancer that controlled the undead mass, but he isn’t how he should be…he seems fractured…?”
“Get away!” yellow Adiran suddenly, “Get as far away from that thing as possible.”
Everyone seemed to jump back, confused by the order, yet still obeying.
“You are wiser than I gave you credit for.” Said Temolach.
Although the creature that had floated here was scattered at his feet, it seemed to be regrowing.
“What trickery is this?” demanded Adiran.”
“No trickery, an invitation. I have what you want, and you have what I crave.” Temolach looked over to Adrian hungrily.
“That thing is dead, torn apart and put back together using magic.” Hissed Trix.
“Indeed, plus a conduit, which I speak through to you.” Temolach rotated his head so quickly that it had turned 180 degrees. Something a living person couldn’t do.
The head then flopped back to look at the mage who had another spell ready.
“I would say trade, but since you didn’t even give my messenger a chance to talk, I will assume you will be fighting, then? So, unlike you Adiran. But then again, we both know I would do the same thing, seeing how alike we are.”
“I am nothing like you Dark One!” hissed the mage.
“Of how innocent, you still have a lot to learn about my master.” Temolach laugh. “Sweet child, you have no idea what it is you are truly dealing with. If you’re so keen to fight me, then come. This vessel will point the way, though I already suspect you know where I may be. Follow, don’t follow, I just came to deliver the message.”
Temolach with what remained of the creature he had arrived in then slowly rose into the air and started floating away in the general direction that they had been travelling. Sensing the fight was over, Sebastian immediately went over to Magna and lay a hand on her shoulder.
“Give it back, it’s my responsibility.” He whispered.
And so I give the next chapter over to Zak, have fun!
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
| by @zakludick | by @lex-zaiya |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
| Part 3 | Part 4 |
| Part 5 | Part 6 |
| Part 7 | Part 8 |
| Part 9 | Part 10 |
| Part 11 | Part 12 |
| Part 13 | Part 14 |
| Part 15 | Part 16 |
| Part 17 | Part 18 |
| Part 19 | Part 20 |
| Part 21 | Part 22 |
| Part 23 | Part 24 |
| Part 25 | Part 26 |
| Part 27 | Part 28– You are Here |
| Part 29 – Coming Soon | Part 30– Coming Soon |
The Reader List
If you would like to be tagged in every episode of Mortis Custos, leave us a comment and get added in, miss nothing!
The Watchlist:
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